Zack Greinke Makes Return to Miller Park Looking for a Series Win for the Dodgers

Zack Greinke (2-0, 1.62) vs. Hiram Burgos (1-2, 6.58)

Dodgers Lineup:

Last night’s win in Milwaukee gave Dodger fans a night off. There was no need to frustratingly analyze Mattingly’s moves or chide the offense. Monday night’s game harkened us back to the days of Kemp-Ethier homeruns and Clayton Kershaw complete games. A bygone era so it seems. Matt Kemp finally hit his second homerun of the season, and it wasn’t just a wall-hopper. The magnificent homerun was a towering second deck shot. Andre Ethier went deep for a solo shot as well, and the right fielder also hit a triple earlier in the game. With three runs on the board in support, Clayton Kershaw and his now 1.37 ERA had no trouble cruising through all nine innings for the win. The Dodgers finally notched a win on this road trip, and Mattingly is spared for now.

Zack Greinke will pitch in familiar territory. Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Yet one win won’t bode for much if they can’t win one more in Milwaukee in order to take the series. The last place Brewers are even worse off than the Dodgers right now which is very hard to imagine. We feel the pain of the Brewers fans. The games must go on nonetheless, and the battle between last place teams continues on Tuesday. Zack Greinke will return to Milwaukee where he pitched for two seasons. He has only pitched in 1 game for 2 innings against his former club in his career. Remember he spent most of his career with Kansas City.

Last time out against the Nationals in his first start since undergoing collarbone surgery, Greinke pitched admirably going 6 2/3 innings while allowing one run on 5 hits with 4 strikeouts and no walks in the win against Washington. In his career pitching at Miller Park, Greinke is undefeated at 15-0 with a 2.89 ERA in 149 2/3 innings pitched.

Right-hander Hiram Burgos will go to the mound for the Brewers. The 25-year old from Puerto Rico made his MLB debut with the

Hiram Burgos will face the Dodgers for the second time. Photo: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Brewers on April 20th. The Dodgers saw Burgos back on April 26th at Dodger Stadium, and Hiram pitched 6 innings while allowing 3 runs on 4 hits in the no-decision. In his last start against Pittsburgh, Burgos lost after allowing 3 runs on 8 hits in 5 innings to the Pirates.

Ted Lilly will start on Saturday against St. Louis. Matt Magill was optioned back down to AAA-Albuquerque when Lilly was activated. Lilly will take Magill’s spot in the rotation making our five-man set: Kershaw, Greinke, Hyun-jin Ryu, Capuano, and Lilly for now. Scott Elbert will make a couple more relief appearances in the minors before he is ready to join the Dodgers for the first time in 2013 after rehabbing from two elbow surgeries.

The 5:10 p.m. game will be on KCAL. We will bring you the recap and analysis following the conclusion of the game.